Job Title: Systems Specialist, Team Lead/Project Lead

Job Focus: Product Development

Years in the Game: 13 years and then some

Education: BA in Molecular Cell Biology

Whereabouts: Smack Down Silicon Valley, Cali-forn-ia

A scientist shares an insiders view of working at a biotech company, choosing industry over academia, being a working mom, and challenging work conditions.

What is a Systems Specialist?

I'm a Systems Specialist, but my  role has changed over the course of the last few years.  My role has expanded, but my title has not.  There's System Verification and Validation in a combined group.  Verification proves that the product is built right.  When a new product is coming through the pipeline, I assure that it has been built according to the requirements of quality.  Validation provides the products that customers want.  

What does a typical day look like?

Meetings for half the day at least. Some meetings involve going over data with the team that I lead.  Other meetings are with people that our group most often interacts with within the department to share info.  Then I work on my deliverables and a lot of document review- which encompasses quality documentation systems and SOP's to follow.  Also, I've been working on protocol writing  for 4-5 months- it needs to be written and approved, and I look over characterization studies.  I also look over what's called a Plan Document, which outlines the plan for the project for each team member. These are 50-60 page documents, so it takes a long time to go over.  The quality department oversees the documentation and input is recieved from different departments.  The company ultimately decides on protocol specifics, but if other agencies (like the FDA) are involved, then compliance is a factor.  Because we provide global distribution we also need to consider specifications for other countries; i.e. For European products we comply to their standards.  So a ton goes into a typical day involving documents.

What do you like about your job?

Recently in lab I had fun with testing.  The best part is being able trouble shoot problems; solving solutions to basic "bad functionality"  (a term for a feature used that nobody likes- they either fix it or nobody cares enough to fix it because it's not worth the trouble).  I also like what we call "complex functionality", which are providing solutions that are more sophisticated. 

What do you find most challenging?

It's really being compliant- we must be compliant with different governing bodies.  This aspect of the job involves negotiating for an agreement to move the product forward. Speculations and guidelines factor into the process, which leads to collaboration.  Sometimes this is challenging due to personalities; individual opinions are used instead of guidelines because guidelines are interpretive. Compromising can fall apart, but an agreement is always reached.  However, the amount of stress and time involved is a distraction. 

How do you balance work and life?  Does your company provide balance?

The company encourages balance, but the work load is extreme, so it is hard to understand what to do with that suggestion.  I'm given and doing enough work for two people.  So the balance is not that great and one needs to have a personal balance.  At home I try to focus on family and not work, but I eventually do some work when my kids have gone to bed.  My strategy has been: at work I think about work and not family.  I also don't want to work late nights at home because I feel I need to have some distance from the stress at work prior to starting again the next day.  I accept and expect that we need to do it (work at a demanding pace) once in a while- it's okay that something at work needs extra attention.  However, in the past year in my role it's been a must do.  A lot of people in my group and department are performing in a grueling environment, which is becoming the norm and it's exhausting.  The demanding mentality is not acceptable as a constant expectation as a work- life balance  plan.  I do not have time with my husband or family on weekends, and little time with my kids. It's (unbalanced work-life) okay if it's your mission in life; like my boss doesn't do that.

Your boss also does not have a work- life balance?

My boss does not have to face the program teams when the timeline pressure is on, so I'm not sure if he works extra hours.  I'm not sure if he takes work home or works evenings like I do.  He doesn't have a product in front of him to get out,  which adds pressure, and people's jobs are on the line.   He just manages the groups on the product development side, so there's a disconnect.  Recently, the company laid off a lot of personnel even though the company is making a lot of money.  A celebration was actually held because the company is making money.  Acknowledgement is lacking for the hard work that people do,  and critical people were laid off.  Leadership turnover is high here,  and the downside is transitioning a lot.  A company is only good as its leader.

Why did you choose industry over academia?  Which do you prefer?

I like the idea of making products that help people live healthy lives.  Research was not directly helping everyone.  I help develop a non-drug product,  which help with medical diagnoses and drug discovery.   I would not rule out academic research as it may be fun.  I perform a lot less research (in my role) now so I'm in a different place.  

What are your goals for career advancement?

The next level is senior specialist, program manager, or product owner.  Other options include product development and strategy.  I would make a lateral move because until now thought I was good at leading teams and managing.  I was on the manager track, but now I don't know if I want to manage people because it can be difficult and personal.  Very personal.  I became discouraged looking for jobs because nothing was interesting.  I recently found some science job openings that were leadership based.  These involved working with multiple groups to develop products, so I am gravitating towards that type of structure.  I am also looking into taking a Program Management course to get certified.

Have you seen any differences between men and women in the biotech work environment?

Yes, women need to prove themselves prior to being backed up by others.  However, guys who have a weaker personality get dismissed like women.  I've noticed in meetings that when some girls are meek about their views people tend not to listen to what they say.  My team and I had to prove a lot to the department.  I insist on backing up everything we claim to have found instead of just using our opinion to persuade the rest of the department.

What's the lowdown?  Something nobody talks about?

I have stopped buying into people immediately because of what he or she seems like.  For example,  I don't trust my boss to make a good decision because he has not proved that he can make logical decisions about products.  I limit listening to his approach due to his lack of knowledge.  He is good at identifying problem areas within the group, but he has not taken the time to look at our products after holding two years in a managerial position.  My boss does not have the technical knowledge of the products we develop and often makes irrelevant comments in meetings.  Limited involvement from him would help.

Good boss/bad boss?

My boss points out flaws in his employees, but he does not have suggestions to help them out to improve what he sees as flaws.  He says that the employees need to figure out their problems on their own.  This management style doesn't seem to help department morale.

How do you cope?

I go to off-site meetings with a group of female co-workers to strengthen collaborations and build morale.  HR doesn't like it and refused to implement an official support program.

Update: The $cientist interviewed has moved on since this IWA$. After not receiving equal pay and a promotion compared to her lesser qualified white female counterpart, she was hired by a better global company and a better boss. For more money. We thank her for sharing her story as a Latina STEMmer and mother.